USFS using chemicals at 70 sites to remove invasive plants

Earlier this week, the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) resumed a project to eradicate, control, and contain known infestations of invasive plants in the Lake Tahoe Basin using chemical treatment. The work will continue at approximately 70 infestation sites through September, 2016.

Current project areas include the 64 Acres parking lot, Angora Fire area, Baldwin Beach Meadow, Burke Creek Trail, Camp Richardson Corral, Luther Pass Campground, Heavenly Creek Meadow, Heavenly Mountain Resort, the Lower Truckee River below Tahoe City, and the Spooner Summit fire station. Crews will also treat infestations on numerous Forest Service urban lots around the basin.

Herbicides used in treatments include Rodeo, Milestone, and Telar. Crews apply the product with backpack sprayers and other hand held tools. Herbicide application follows approved Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), state, and local direction.

“When treating near sensitive habitats, such as bodies of water and wetlands, the pesticide will be applied using precise wipe and wick methods or spot spraying,” said LTBMU Botanist, Scott Taylor. “The Forest Service follows strict guidelines when applying pesticides to keep watersheds safe, while killing the weeds. This year, crews are seeing reduced numbers of weeds at most sites and are pleased our efforts are working.”

Caution signs will be posted in treatment areas and remain for at least 48 hours after application. Orange and black caution tape will mark the boundary around each treatment area. A marker dye will be used to easily identify locations that have been sprayed. Treatment areas are typically small and consist of a few plants. Access to treatment sites will be restricted during and after the application. Forest Service staff will be onsite to monitor the areas in order to ensure public safety while the project is implemented.

An Environmental Assessment released by the Forest Service in 2010 identified 493 known invasive plant infestations located on National Forest System lands managed by the LTBMU. Invasive plants reproduce and spread rapidly, displacing native plants. They can also reduce the amount and quality of fish and wildlife habitat, increase soil erosion and stream sedimentation, and impair recreational access.

Target invasive plants include tall whitetop (Lepidium latifolium), Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica), yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris), hoary cress (Cardaria pubescens & C. draba) and Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense). Photos and information about these species can be found at the Lake Tahoe Basin Weed Coordinating Group’s website at http://www.tahoeinvasiveweeds.org.

For more information about this project, contact Scott Taylor at (530) 543-2879 or visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/InvasivePlantTreatment.